Shoe last



G. CLAUSING May 6, 1947.

SHOE LAST Filed June 21, 1945 INVENTOR. 6 6'! .5 BY folfd aa [752 ATT'YsPatented May 6, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOE LAST GeorgeClausing, Portsmouth, Ohio, assignor to Vulcan Corporation, Portsmouth,Ohio 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to shoe lasts and is particularly directedto an improved locking means for last parts arranged for relativemovement along a linear path parallel to the longitudinal axis of thelast.

An object of the invention is to provide in a last of the type indicateda means for positively locking the last parts in expanded position, andin last contracted position offering sufiicient resistance to themovement of the parts to preclude opening of the last under normalhandling and storage conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a positive acting lock forthe parts of a last of the character described which has a fewsimplified catch parts that can be economically manufac tured andassembled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a locking device forlast parts arranged for relative movement along a straight line parallelto the longitudinal axis of the last which securely holds the last partsin expanded position against operational stresses, strains or jars andwhich may be readily tripped by an operator for releasing the parts fromsaid looked, expanded position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a free,'quick acting lockmeans for a last of the construction referred to which definitely fixesthe relative limits of outward motion of the last parts without regardto the manner in which the parts are manually moved toward theirexpanded, locked position.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification anddrawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, and inwhich:

Fig. 1 represents a vertical elevation, partly in section, of my lastconstruction showing the internal arrangements in the expanded andoperative position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 with the last partsillustrated in contracted or inoperative position for its withdrawalfrom a shoe, in the usual manner.

I Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the locking link for the last.

With reference to the drawing there is shown an expansible shoe lastcomprising a relatively movable toe or fore part 8 and a heel or backpart 9. These parts are arranged for movement in a straight lineparallel to the longitudinal axis of the last by means of two spacedguide rods l0 and Ii which are freely, but snugly received in bores l2and I3 respectively formed in the fore part and bores I l and !5respectively formed in the back part. The rods are retained in theirrespective bores by wood plugs 56 fixed in the outer ends of the boresl4 and it. Each ofthe parts is provided with the usual thimbles orbushings 5'! for mounting the last on a suitable jack (not shown).

A novel locking means is provided for positively maintaining the lastparts in expanded position and also to frictionally secure them againstrelative outward movement in last contracted position, said meansconsisting of a movable latch element or flat link 18 manufactured by asingle stamping operation. This link lies in vertical plane passingthrough the longitudinal axis of the last and is pivotally mounted formovement in one of the last parts and as illustrated in the drawing, oneend of the link has an aperture is for receiving a transverse pincarried by the back part of the last. The free end of the linkcooperates with a catch element which may take the form of a transverselink pin 2i fixed in the fore part of the last. The free end of the linkhas an inclined upper edge 22 which terminates in a notch 23 which inlast expanded position (Fig. 1) receives the link pin 2! and positivelylocks the last parts in their open, operative position. lhe outerextremity of the link is provided with an upwardly extending noseportion 24 which extends considerably above the outer extension line ofthe inclined edge 22. This nose acts as a positive stop which fixes therelative limits of motion of the last parts at their expanded, lockedposition regardless of the force exerted by an operator in manuallymoving the parts toward and into said position.

The back part 9 has formed therein a narrow, centrally disposed grooveor rout- 25 which per- 'mits free pivotal movement of the link thereinwhile maintaining it in its central position relative to the last body.The free end of the link freely moves ina longitudinally elongatedgroove orrout 28 which provides sufiicient clearance for the free end ofthe link when the last is .in its contracted or expanded positions. I

The link is. preferably biased toward constant engagement of itsinclined edge with the link pin by means of a compression spring Elseated in a slightly inclined recess 23 formed the bottom wall of thegroove 25. The spring isillustrated as cylindrically shaped andencircles at its upper end an extension 29 integrally formed in thebottom edge of the link. The diameter of the spring 21 is somewhatgreater than the width of the groove 25. Opposed, concave cuts 30 and 3|are formed in the vertical walls of said groove to accommodate thespring and also provide a means for assembling the parts. These cuts areformed by a drill which is introduced angularly into said groove at theupper portion of its open end and is directed downwardly into the lastpart and at the end of its penetration cuts the recess 28.

It will therefore be understood that the latch element or link isconstantly urged toward engagement with th cooperating catch element orlink pin 2| by means of the compression spring 21. When the last is inits contracted position (Fig. 2), the link pin engages the link at thebottom of its inclined edge 22. In this position the lock elements offersufficient frictional resistance to the movement of the last parts topreclude opening of the last under normal handling or storageconditions. When, however, the last parts are manually moved towardtheir open, expanded condition, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the link pinslidably engages the inclined edge 22 of the link and is received in thenotch 23 for positively locking the parts 'in said open, expandedposition; the extension 24 and the bias of the link [8 definitely fixingthe relative limits of motion of the last parts and precluding theirunintentional separation. After the particular sho making operationshave been completed, the operator may readily trip the last look by asuitable mechanical means which may comprise a narrow bumper tool, orthe like, fixed to a work bench. By manually moving the last toward the.tool so that said tool passes between the last parts from the upperside thereof, the tool by engagement with the central portion of thelink depresses it against the action of the spring 21 and therebydisengages the link from the pin 2I and permits the parts to assumetheir closed, inoperative condition.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shoe last the combination of a fore part, a back part, guidemeans for providing relative movement for each last part into lastexpanded and last contracted position along a line parallel to thelongitudinal axis of said last, and

means for locking the parts in expanded position and comprising a latchelement rockably mounted on one last part and having a notch formedtherein, a cooperating catch element fixed .within and bodily movablewith the'other last part, and means for biasing the first mentionedlatch element in a direction to engage the notch in the cooperatingelement and to secure a sliding engagement between the elements.

2. A longitudinally expansible shoe last comprising relatively movablefore and back parts, means connecting said parts and acting to guidetheir relative movements in a straight line extending longitudinally ofthe last, and means for I locking the parts in expanded condition andcomprising a link pivoted to one last part and having a side with anotchjormed therein, a link pin fixed to the other last part, and meansbiasing the side of the link into sliding engagement with the pin.

3. A longitudinally expansible shoe last comprising relatively movablefore and back parts, means connecting said parts and acting to guidetheir relative movements in a straight line extending longitudinally ofthe last, and means for locking the parts in expanded condition andcomprising a link pin fixed to one last part, and a 4 link pivoted tothe other last part, said link having a notch therein for receiving thepin when the parts are moved to expanded last position.

4. A longitudinally expansible shoe last comprising relatively movablefore and back parts, means connecting said parts and acting to guidetheir relative movements in a straight line extending longitudinally ofthe last, and means for locking the parts in expanded condition andcomprising a link pin fixed to one last part, a link pivoted to theother last part, said link having a notch formed in one side edgethereof for receiving the pin when the parts are moved to expanded lastposition, and means for biasing the .link edge into sliding engagementwith the pin.

5. A longitudinally expansible shoe last comprising relatively movablefore and back parts, means connecting said parts and acting to guidetheir relative movements in a straight line extending longitudinally ofthe last, and means for locking the parts in expanded position andcomprising a transversely extending link pin fixed in one part, alongitudinally disposed, flat link pivoted at one end for edgewisemovement in the other last part, said link having an inclined edge, .anotch formed in the edge portion adjacent the outer end for receivingthe pin when the parts are in expanded last position, and means forbiasing the link into notch and edge engagement with the pin.

6. A longitudinally expansible shoe last comprising relatively movablefore and back parts, means connecting said parts and acting to, guidetheir relative movements in a straight line extending longitudinally ofthe last, and means for locking the parts in expanded position andcomprising a transversely extending link pin fixed in one part, alongitudinally disposed, fiat link pivoted at one end for edgewisemovementin the other last part, said link having aninclined edge, anotch formed in the edge portion adjacent the outer end for receivingthe pin when the parts are in expanded last position, means for biasingthe link into notch and edge engagement with the pin, and an extensionformed on the outer end of the link for limiting the opening movement ofthe last parts.

'7. In a shoe last the combination of a fore part, a back part, guidemeans for providing relative movement for each last part into lastexpanded and last contracted position along a line parallel to thelongitudinal axis of said last, and means for locking the parts inexpanded position and comprising a latch element rockably mounted forvertical movement on one last part and having a notch formed therein, acooperating catch element fixed transversely within and bodily movablewith the other last part, and means for biasing the latch element in adirection to engage the notch in the catch element and to secure asliding engagement between said elements.

8. A longitudinally expansible shoe last comprising a fore part, a backpart, guide means for providing relative movement for each last partinto last expanded or last contracted position along a line parallel tothe longitudinal axis of said last, and means for locking the parts inexpanded position said means includin a latch element rockably mountedin one last part and having a free end extending into the other lastpart, a catch element fixed within and bodily movable with the saidother last part, and a spring for biasing the latch into lockingposition and sliding engagement with the catch.

9. A longitudinally expansible shoe last comprising relatively movablefore and back parts, REFERENCES CITED 'fi comectmg sald w and aqtmg gmdeThe following references are of record in the their relative movementsin a straight line exme of this patent: tending longitudinally of thelast, and means for 5 locking the parts in expanded condition and in-UNITED STATES PATENTS eluding a, catch fixed to one last part, a linkpiv- Number Name Date oted to the other last part and having a side2,135,765 n Ja 2, 1940 formed with a catch engaging deformation, andmeans biasing the side of the link into sliding 10 engagement with thecatch.

GEORGE CLAUSING.

